06/18/2026
GraftonVtCelebrates is happy to announce that Richard Desrochers and Bill Toomey will serve as Grand Marshals for our 250th Celebration Parade in Grafton, Vermont on June 27th at 11:00 a.m.
If you get to know Dick Desrochers and Bill Toomey you will learn that they have a number of things in common. They each came to live in Grafton in the 60s, music has been a big part of their lives, both are veterans and both men have been fully involved in Grafton life over the years. Despite spending most of their lives in Grafton, neither lay claim to being long timers, although Dick married into a family that was among Grafton’s earliest settlers and lives in the Park Family Home which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Both Dick and Bill enjoy talking with others and sharing stories from their interesting lives.
Dick married Martha Park, an 11th generation descendent of Grafton settlers and long time teacher at Central School in Bellows Falls. Dick has been a proud member of Grafton Coronet Band for almost 70 years, serving part of that time as Band president.
Music drove many of Bill’s life choices. Bill and his wife Diana spent a year in Holland where he wanted to revive his musical skills and 4 years in Switzerland. Bill taught classical guitar at The Putney School and worked with others to found a music school in Brattleboro that still operates to this day. Bill worked for over 30 years at The Old Tavern, much of that time as Assistant Inn Keeper where he organized a well received Concert Series for many years, teaching instrumental music on his days off, including the lute.
Dick and Bill were board members of the Grafton Historical Society with Dick serving some of that time as president. They worked together and Dick was a particularly driving force on the long process of recognizing historic buildings and four districts in Grafton on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as on the purchase and restoration of The Brick Meeting House. Bill continues to be a GHS weekend docent. Dick is also a long time member of the Grafton Fire Department.
After retirement Bill joined the Grafton Cares Board and became a meals on Wheels Driver. He also regularly visits and supports local veterans. He has also enjoyed a Poetry Group at the Grafton Library. Dick takes pride in maintaining the Park Family home and land, including mowing around and in the cellar hole of the original Grafton (then known as Thomlinson) Meeting House. Dick continues to support the Grafton Band and happily shares his knowledge about Grafton History and Historic places with groups and individuals.
